My Small Business Christmas List - 22 Businesses to change the way you shop this year
My absolute favourite time of the year is looking REALLY different in 2020. This year, I’m going to be trapped in Delft with my partner and not back in beautiful Scotland with our families. Trapped is probably a harsh word to use - I’m lucky that Delft is perhaps one of the prettiest places in the world to be trapped and I’m looking forward to creating some new traditionals with my future husband. But there’s still this huge feeling of loss and I’m really going to miss that family connection. I’m sure many of you feel the same as tiers go up all over the UK.
This year I’m going full steam ahead in gift giving - making sure that I connect with my family from all the way over here and making sure that I can get presents sent directly to them rather than sent internationally so I can keep my carbon footprint down. So I wanted to pull together a curated list of my favourite small businesses from the past year to encourage you to shop small, support these 22 amazing small businesses and get organised for christmas!
Some are Edinburgh businesses, some are previous clients, some are companies that I have followed for a time and some have been recommended by you guys when I asked on my stories recently. All of them are delightful to follow on social media so I would encourage you to go and support them!
I’ve STILL not finished my christmas shopping (I am only 10% through at the time of writing this…) so if you have any more recommendations, send them my way by commenting below or send me a message on Instagram.
GIFTS FOR PETS
Me and The Bear:
It’s probably no surprise to those who know me that a gift for my cat was the first thing I bought this year. I purchased a bright red glittery collar for Sookie to wear during the christmas season. So now she everytime she meows at me, she reminds me of christmas. It’s delightful.
https://www.instagram.com/meandthebearstore/
https://meandthebear.store/
SWEETS AND TREATS
Valt Chocolate
Valt is a Vegan chocolate brand that I have followed on my personal account for a while - their chocolate just looks SO good. They make small batches of their products so you may have to wait for a shop update to get your hands on some, but give them a follow and keep an eye out for updates!
https://www.instagram.com/valtchocolate
https://valtchocolate.com/
Sweet Yourself Vegan
Sweet Yourself Vegan is a client of mine and run by the loveliest folk. Tash is a delight and she cares so much about her customers and her business. The sugary watermelons remain my absolute favourite - I have dreams about them.
https://www.instagram.com/sweetyourselfvegan/
https://www.sweetyourself.co.uk/
Yard Confectionery
I’m a big fan of Yard and their beautiful packaging and design. Currently their website isn’t live but you can contact them to place an order. They make Vegan chocolate with Coconut Milk that I am dying to get my hands on.
https://www.instagram.com/yardconfectionery
https://www.yardconfectionery.com/shop
HOMEWARE AND DECOR
Excell Quilt Co
I found Kayleigh’s lovely work through Etsy Uk. Her instagram and the wall hangings are beautiful. Today (2nd December) is her last day to order wall hangings in time for Christmas!
https://www.instagram.com/excellquiltco/
https://www.excellquiltco.com/
Lucy Siviter Design
Lucy paints beautiful flowers over glassware and has a range of illustrations in her online store. She launches her product in batches so follow her for updates on the next glassware batch.
https://www.instagram.com/lucysiviterdesign/
https://www.etsy.com/shop/LucySiviterDesign
The Wild Lily Co
Ceri makes gorgeous dried bouquets and wreaths from her yorkshire home. Her Instagram is also very calming and she puts so much care into her branding and packaging.
https://www.instagram.com/thewildlilyco/
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Thewildlilyco
Emily Luscombe Ceramics
One from Edinburgh! Emily makes these tiny vases that completely captured my heart when I first saw them.
https://www.instagram.com/emilyluscombeceramics/
https://www.emilyluscombeceramics.co.uk/
https://www.etsy.com/shop/emilyluscombestudio
SMALL GIFTS AND JEWELLERY
Beauelle
Rachel runs a lovely online store up in Aberdeen for jewellery and homeware. She recently launched a collection of tree decorations with messages such as ‘Miss You’ and ‘Hugs Soon’ that are just so sweet. We worked together on her logo a month or two back.
https://www.instagram.com/beauelle.uk/
https://www.beauelle.co.uk/
We Made This Studio
I found these guys via another maker that I absolutely adore. I am so in love with their collection of scrunchies and headbands - I have my eye on a few for presents but I really need to get a move on as they are selling so fast!
https://www.instagram.com/wemadethisstudio/
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/WeMadeThisStudio
Sarora Knots
Sara makes beautiful, eco-friendly plant hangers that are made from textile remnants. She has a great values page on her website that talks about her process.
https://www.instagram.com/sarora_knots/?hl=en
https://www.saroraknots.co.uk/plant-hangers
GIFTS FOR KIDS
Cubb Kids
If you have a budding scout in your life then Cubb Kits creates gorgeous vintage inspired patches and camping gifts. I love their gift sets and I think their Pennant Flags are really special. I have put at least 3 on my own list to santa.
https://www.instagram.com/CubbKids/
https://cubbkids.co.uk/
The Littles
I found the Littles through Rachel Harrison’s instagram (@onrshop). The Littles sell beautiful kids clothes and coats - the kind of beautiful clothes you would love an adult size of so you can match your toddler.
https://www.instagram.com/thelittleskidswear
https://www.thelittleskidswear.com/
Dana Gray
I can’t remember where I found Dana Gray but they have a lovely collection of toys for babies and kids. Everything is beautiful.
https://www.instagram.com/danagray_co/
https://www.danagray.co.uk/collections/all
PRINTS, ILLUSTRATIONS AND PLANNERS
Happy Go Lucky
Finding this instagram has added so much colour and joy into my feed. I love the illustration style and colours. And all of their paper products are printed on recycled paper which is awesome.
https://www.instagram.com/hello.happy.go.lucky/
https://www.wearehappygolucky.co.uk/
Printer Johnson
Vicki is a lovely friend and past client of mine. She is a true gem and wonderful artist. I am particularly fond of her use of colour and her screenprints.
https://www.instagram.com/printerjohnson/
https://www.printerjohnson.com/
Symjo
Symjo is a daily symptom journal designed for chronic conditions to help it’s users track their symptoms, medications and appointments. Symjo was founded and designed by my dear friend Megan and it’s very clear she put her soul into it. Forever proud of you Megan!
https://www.instagram.com/mysymjo/
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Symjo
SOAPS AND SKINCARE
Tanaka
Tanaka is a beautiful online soap store. Their product imagery is amazing and all products are cruelty-free and vegan.
https://www.instagram.com/tanaka.soaps/
https://tanaka.store/
Bloomtown
Based down in Cornwall, Bloomtown have a gorgeous store filled with soaps, salts, skincare products and gift sets. They are also completely palm oil free, cruelty-free and vegan. They currently do not ship to the Netherlands so please buy The Rose Garden bath salts, tell me how they are and I will stock up on 10 bottles next time I'm in the UK!
https://www.instagram.com/bloomtownuk/
https://bloomtown.co.uk/
Narloa
I’ve followed Narloa on my personal Instagram for ages. I love their branding and photography. I have their Rose Garden Oil on my Christmas list as it looks like a dream. They are also vegan and cruelty-free.
https://www.instagram.com/narloa/?hl=en
https://www.narloa.com/shop
PLANTS
Prick
One for the plant-lovers like me. Prick is based in London and sells beautiful plants, pots and books. They’ve just restocked (December 2nd) so go go go!
https://www.instagram.com/prickldn/
https://www.prickldn.com/
CANDLES
Sandwick Bay Candles
Last but definitely not least, Sandwick Candles are a lovely Scottish brand with a really well-curated online store. You can buy their candles but you also buy gift sets, chocolates, bath bombs, face masks - so much good stuff!
https://www.instagram.com/sandwickbaycandles/
https://sandwickbaycandles.com/
And that’s me! I hope these 22 businesses have opened your eyes to how great the small business community in the UK is. Shop small but also remember to invest in your local community. Your local gift stores, bakeries and green grocers need you too!
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